Overview

Larry Cohen's quirky classic Q: The Winged Serpent comes back to DVD in a stellar release as part of Blue Underground's Larry Cohen Collection. With its 1.85:1 widescreen image and 16 x 9 enhancement, the transfer seems to be the same as Anchor Bay's prior release (which, while decent, isn't known to be the highest in quality); it's the audio options that technically put this disc over the edge. Four amazing tracks are supplied, with the remastered 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround EX and 6.1 DTS-ES leading the pack, ...

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Overview

Larry Cohen's quirky classic Q: The Winged Serpent comes back to DVD in a stellar release as part of Blue Underground's Larry Cohen Collection. With its 1.85:1 widescreen image and 16 x 9 enhancement, the transfer seems to be the same as Anchor Bay's prior release (which, while decent, isn't known to be the highest in quality); it's the audio options that technically put this disc over the edge. Four amazing tracks are supplied, with the remastered 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround EX and 6.1 DTS-ES leading the pack, alongside a Dolby Surround 2.0 and even the Original Mono mix for those interested. The highlight of the DVD comes with another commentary session between old friends Larry Cohen and fellow director William Lustig (see Blue Underground's God Told Me To and Bone discs for their other insightful and fun tracks recorded around the same time). A slew of information is spewed forth here, proving not only the genius of the film, but also of the low-budget auteur Cohen himself. Lustig keeps things rolling as the two talk of everything from the director's get-'em-and-go attitude during the incredible 18-day shoot to the almost unheard of week-long prep time (that includes scripting and casting, folks). No matter how many times you've seen the film, there's no doubt that this commentary will be an eye-opener which should inspire the right kind of raised-fist attitude needed when working outside of the Hollywood system. Other bonus materials include a terrific teaser trailer ("Q is coming!"), alongside a Larry Cohen bio and an extensive poster and still gallery consisting of posters, publicity stills, behind-the-scenes stills, and various video covers through the years. The fun isn't over yet, as those with DVD-ROMs can also access a special Q Memorabilia section, offering transcripts of various cast interviews, along with film reviews, press releases, and more promotional material from the film. Given its unwavering cult status, Q's fans will no doubt be delighted with this disc, as it's by far the best presentation this genre-bending monster flick has ever seen.

Special Features

Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide

Larry Cohen's typically odd and witty entry in the world of the creature feature isn't the straight-faced monster mash one might imagine. Instead, it is actually an offbeat character study with a few horror movie trappings thrown in for a bit of B-movie spice. The story might be anchored by the police investigation that leads to the creature mentioned in the title, but its true heart is the strange tale of Jimmy Quinn. This unusual story structure works thanks to an extraordinary performance from Michael Moriarty, whose Method-actor fireworks transform Quinn into a character that is pathetic and poignant all at once. Whether he is bargaining with the mayor's representatives for a "Nixon-type pardon" or refusing to bow to demands, he steals every scene he's in. David Carradine and Richard Roundtree also contribute some inspired work as the two detectives on the case, managing to avoid the usual clichés of such characters by tackling them in a low-key, witty style. On the downside, writer/director Larry Cohen's fast and quick style results in some noticeable rough edges to his work. The fascinating subplot about the modern-day Aztec cult that revives the monster gets lost in the headlong rush to wrap up the story and the hastily assembled effects used to bring the serpent god to life are a hit-and-miss affair. Despite these problems, Q: The Winged Serpent remains an entertaining affair because its take on the genre is genuinely inspired and it is truly difficult for the viewer to guess what intriguingly strange thing will happen next. As a result, Q: The Winged Serpent is an ideal pick for horror fans who can appreciate a new variation on an old genre.

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